Method for the manufacture of oxide sintered nuclear fuel bodies

US4816193A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft · DE
• Reaktor-Brennelement Union GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Martin Peehs · Bubenreuth, DE
• Heinrich Bayer · Alzenau, DE
• Ulrich Jenczio · Hanau, DE
• Jurgen Laucht · Hanau, DE
• Sieghard Hellmann · Erlangen, DE
• Gerhard Dichtjar · Langenselbold, DE
• Wolfgang Dorr · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Georg Maier · Weisendorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 1987
• Grant date: Mar 28, 1989
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Method for manufacturing sintered oxidic nuclear fuel bodies by molding uranium oxide starting powder, a mixture of uranium oxide and plutonium oxide starting powder or of uranium-plutonium oxide mixed-crystal starting powder to form blanks and by a heat treatment of these blanks with a U.sub.4 O.sub.9 or (U, Pu).sub.4 O.sub.9 crystal phase developed in them to a degree which can be crystallographically detected at a sintering temperature in the range of 1000.degree. to 1400.degree. C. in an oxidizing and subsequently in a reducing gas atmosphere. The starting powder and/or the blanks are preroasted at a roasting temperature below the sintering temperature in a roasting gas atmosphere with oxidizing action and with an oxygen potential in which the U.sub.4 O.sub.9 (U, Pu).sub.4 O.sub.9 crystal phase is developed and cooled down subsequently to a starting temperature below the roasting temperature in an inert or oxidizing cooling-down gas atmosphere. Starting from this starting temperature, the blanks are heated to the sintering temperature in an inert or oxidizing heating gas atmosphere while maintaining the U.sub.4 O.sub.9 or the (U, Pu).sub.4 O.sub.9 crystal phase.